Mount Sanitas Loop & Settlers Park

First off, these are two different hikes but both stem from the same parking lot and Settlers Park is a mere 5 minutes away from where you park so why not kill two birds with one stone?

One of the more popular hikes in Boulder, Mount Sanitas is a 3 mile hike that quickly scales nearly 1,350 feet. From the parking lot off of Mapleton Road, cross the bridge and stay to the left at both of the forks up the Mt Sanitas West Ridge Trail. The trail climbs quickly for 0.85 miles before evening out on a ridge with views to the Continental Divide and Chautauqua Park. It will then bend north, taking you to the summit on a thin, but manageable path with panoramic views. After reaching the summit you will wind down the mountain through steep boulder fields for a little more than a half a mile before reaching the valley floor. The Sanitas Valley Trail will take you down all the way to the parking lot completing the Mount Sanitas Loop.

Once back in the parking lot, head south on Red Rocks trail for a quick, steep, 0.5 miles before coming to the amazing Settlers Park rock formations. Once you are done climbing or admiring the park, head back down Red Rocks trail back to the parking lot.